Improvement in steam-traps



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIoE.

JOSEPH R. BROWN AND WILLIAM A. FOSKETT, on NEW HAVEN, ooNN.

IMPROVEMENT m "sTEAM-TRAPs.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 152,826, dated July '7, 1874; application filed May 25, 1874.

To all whom it may concern: 7 2

Be it known that we, JOSEPH B. BROWN and WILLIAM A. FosKEr'r, both of New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Improvement in the Construction of Steam- Traps; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification.

Figure I is a sectional view of the steamtrap. Fig. II is an enlarged section, showing the chamber a and valve b through lines PQ in Fig. IV. Fig. III is a side view of thechalnher a. Fig. IV is a cross-section through the line X Y in Fig. II.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The object of this invention is to construct a steam-trap that shall prevent the escape of steam, relieve itself automatically of the water of condensation, be certain in its operation, and which can be examined, repaired, and adjusted without disturbing any of the pipes connecting the same.

The nature ot the invention consists in placing on one end of the case of a steam'trap a chamber, the interior of which communicates, by a lever and ball valve of peculiar construction, with the interior of the case which receives the condensed water, and. by openings, with an annular space, to which the pipe for discharging the water is connected.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, we will describe the same more fully.

The improved steam-trap consists of the case L, having an inlet-chamber containing a perforated strainer at E, and a place at g, for receiving a pipe through which all the water may be drawn from the trap when the same is to be opened for examination or repair. One end of the case L is closed and the other provided with theiflange M; and near this end a rib, 0, forms aprojecting rim within the case. The hollow chamber a, having the flange N, is firmly bolted to the case L, the projecting part of the case resting against the rim or rib 0. Both the joints, at M, N, and 0, may

be packed with some elastic packing, as shown in Fig. II, or the joints may be made a close fit without such packing, the chamber abeing of less diameter than the case L. An annular space is formed between the outside of the chamber a, and the inside of the case L, and the inside of this chamber a communicates with this annular space by slots or openings h h, and thus with the discharge-pipe f. To this case a the hinged valve b is secured. This valve consists of thetube or valve seat I) I and the compressiolrblo'ck b I I, in which last an elastic or semi-elastic block, 0, is secured. This block 0 may be made of vulcanized rubber, or rubber having metallic particles incorporated with it; or it may consist of lead, tin, brass, or other material, preferably somewhat softer than the valve-seat, and able to withstand the action of hot water or steam. The compression-block b I I is connected, by a rod, with the sphere or float d, which is placed at a sufficient distance from the valve to secure certainty of action. in opening by the floating power of the sphere, and in closing by gravitation. g

The operation of this steam-trap is as follows: When the same is connected with the drip or discharge pipe from a radiator, cylinder, or coil at E, the sphere or float, by its weight, keeps the valve 11 closed, and no steam can escape into the chamber a, and by the openings h h, through the annular space and discharge-pipef. As soon, however, as sufficient water has accumulated to float the sphere d, the valve will slightly open, and the water will flow into the chamber a, and through the openings h h and the annular space. It will be discharged by the pipe f, and so keep on flowing as long as the supply of condensed water is equal to the discharge. Should the supply increase the water will accumulate, and the sphere cl will gradually rise, and thus increase the opening of the valve until the supply and discharge are equal. If, on the contrary, the supply diminishes, the sphere 01 will sink with the water, and the opening of the valve will be diminished until the supply and discharge are again equal. As long, therefore, as the condensation continues the valve will remain partly open, which is of the high est importance, as the valve will not Wear as much, as is the case with all steam-traps in which the valve opens when a certain quantity of water is collected, and again closes when the same is discharged. The valve 1) being, when in operation, surrounded by water, is also more durable, as it is not exposed to the cutting action of the steam or to sudden changes of temperature. All the water entering this steam-trap is strained by the strainer at E; therefore, no impurities can enter the case L and stop up or prevent the operation of the valve. The strainer can be easily removed through the opening closed by a plug. and can be cleaned and replaced without disturbing any connections or joints.

Facility for inspection and repairs of the working parts of a steam-trap are of the greatest importance. In this steam-trap, when the water is drawn ofl, the bolts securing the chamber a to the case L can be loosened, and the chamber, with the valve b and sphere d,

may be removed, examined, or repaired, and

the whole again replaced without disturbing one of the pipes connecting the trap with the radiator-cylinder or steam-coil.

The chamber a, when secured to the case L, forms a steam and water tight joint at O, by which the interior of the chamber a is completely separated from the interior of the case L beyond the rim 0. WVhen the valve b is opened by the rising of the float (I, the water is discharged into the chamber a, from which it flows through the openings Mr, and through the annular space formed between the case L and chamber a, into the outlet or overflow pipe at f. The chamber a, having the valve I) and float d connected to it, may be readily removed, and the different parts examined and repaired without disturbing any of the pipeconuections, as the same are all permanently connected to the case L at E, G, and f, the chamber a thus forming the support for the valve 1) and float d, and also, when secured to the case L, a receiving-chamber for the discharge-water, and also connecting water-passages between the valve b and the overflow or discharge pipe at f.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The chamber a, with the openings h h, in combination with the case L and rim 0, forn1= ing passages for the discharge of water from a steam-trap, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. The combination of the chamber a and case L with the valve I) and float d, when arranged in a steam-trap, substantially as described. v

JOSEPH R. BROWN. WILLIAM A. FOSKETT. Witnesses:

GEORGE GUNN, O. F. HoToHKrss.

[L. s.] [L. s.] 

